Core i5 655K - Its Clarkdale
Core i5 655K - Its Clarkdale
So I'd like to talk you through the reference specifications of today's tested processors first, basic stuff really as the processors are 99% similar to the Core i5 650 and Core i7 870, except for that unlocked multiplier.
We'll start off with the Core i5 655K.
Over the past half year Intel began volume manufacturing the 32nm shrink of its Core microprocessor line, which the company refers to by the code name of 'Westmere'. Within the Westmere range you'll find the 'Dale' chips -- 'Clarkdale' for the desktop, and 'Arrandale' for the notebook segment. Our focus for the dual-core Core i5 655K processor is Clarkdale.
Clarkdale based processors have two physical (execution) CPU cores each capable of two (hyper) threads (making 4 logical cores), and include integrated graphics and a memory controller. Like other Nehalem derivatives, Clarkdale will feature Intel Turbo Boost. The processors feature 4MB of Intel Smart Cache and an Integrated Memory Controller (IMC) that supports two-channels of DDR3 memory at officially supported speeds of up to 1333MHz. The cache memory consists of a 32KB L1 Data cache, 32KB Instruction cache and 256KB L2 cache per core. Then there's a nice L3 cache that is shared in-between the two CPU cores which is 4MB in total.
Within the Core i5 600 range a total of five models are now available; Core i5 650, 655K, 660, 661 and 670, clocking in at 3.2, 3.2, 3.33, 3.33 and 3.46 GHz respectively.
| Processor | Base Clock | Turbo (up-to) |
Core / Threads | Cache | Memory | TDP | Price |
| Core i5 670 | 3.46 GHz | 3.73 GHz | 2/4 | 4MB | DDR3 1333 | 73W | $284 |
| Core i5 661 | 3.33 GHz | 3.60 GHz | 2/4 | 4MB | DDR3 1333 | 87W | $196 |
| Core i5 660 | 3.33 GHz | 3.60 GHz | 2/4 | 4MB | DDR3 1333 | 73W | $196 |
| Core i5 655K | 3.20 GHz | 3.46 GHz | 2/4 | 4MB | DDR3 1333 | 73W | $216 |
| Core i5 650 | 3.20 GHz | 3.46 GHz | 2/4 | 4MB | DDR3 1333 | 73W | $176 |
| Core i3 540 | 3.06 GHz | N/A | 2/4 | 4MB | DDR3 1333 | 73W | $133 |
| Core i3 530 | 2.93 GHz | N/A | 2/4 | 4MB | DDR3 1333 | 73W | $113 |
All Clarkdale CPUs come with an IGP on die which means it has a small embedded GPU inside the processor. Though the processors will be manufactured at 32nm the totally weird thing is that the graphics core is produced at 45nm. That can only mean one thing, the Clarkdale processors will feature a multi-chip package, the CPU and GPU won't be merged into a single die but will have two chips in one package. To utilize the embedded GPU you need an Intel H55 or H57 chipset. These processors will work on P55 as well, but without the IGP.
